Stroke and sleep rhythm disorders

Aim: In this research we aimed to elaborate the frequency of the sleep-wake disorders and sleep rhythm disorder and the relation between stroke localization that would become in the acute post-stroke period.Methods: 31 control and 131 patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke who presented within 24 hours of symptom onset were enrolled into this study. Cranial BT and/or MRG were carried out to all patients within first 24 hours and first week and lesions were presented. Participants maintained daily sleep diaries in which bedtime, wake-up time, estimated total sleep time, naps, etc., were recorded on hourly basis. By the help of this sleep diary the type of sleep disorder was determined.Findings: In patient group, sleep disorder showed meaningful statistical difference when compared to the control group.(p<0.001). Right hemispheric strokes circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) was statistically meaningful in comparison with left (1st day: p=0.003, 2nd day p=0.583 , 3rd day p=0.010, 4th day p=0.018). In hemorrhagic strokes high level of sleep disorder was noticed in comparison to the middle-large level ischemic strokes. In all occipital located strokes irregular sleep phase disorder was observed at 100%.Results: Sleep-wake disorders were noticed more in the acute post-stroke period. In addition to this CRSD has been observed more in right hemispheric strokes. Thus this development showed the right hemisphere may be more related with the sleep rhythm than the left hemisphere.Keywords: stroke, sleep-wake disorders, sleep rhythm disorders.